Overview
- His wife, Betty, and The Mavericks confirmed he died on Dec. 8, sharing tributes in statements posted Tuesday.
- Malo revealed colon cancer in June 2024 and announced leptomeningeal disease in September 2025 after months of treatment updates.
- The health decline led to cancellation of remaining 2025 tour dates, including a run with Dwight Yoakam, as he sought care in Houston.
- A co-founder of The Mavericks in 1989, he steered their country–Latin–rock blend to a Grammy for "Here Comes the Rain" and later issued the Spanish-language En Español in 2020.
- Hospitalized on Dec. 4, he missed two tribute concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium; he is survived by his wife and sons Dino, Victor and Max.